Germany, in a nswteen move to fortify cultural and understanding, has today embarked on an incredible cultural exchange programme with African nns. The project, called ‘Brücken der Kultur’ (Brondges of Culture), which is designed to strengthen cultural and social links between German and African people with art, music, literature and academic exchange.
It is to be one of the most extensive cultural exchange operations in recent European history, as the programme was unveiled at a colourful affair in Berlin featuring members of the diplomatic corps and artists from both continents. It encompasses a broad spectrum of activity from artist residencies to museum exhibitions and literary festivals to educational partnerships.
Speaking at the event to launch Germany’s 50 year investment into culture, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock highlighted how cultural diplomacy is needed in the world we live in today. In times of global challenges, building of bridges for understanding between nations and cultures is more critical than ever, said Baerbock. “This is not simply a programme meant to display our own arts and traditions, it is a programme with an idea that we can come together and find a new path, generate new perspectives and to fix the problems that we both face.”
The initiative brings together 15 African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Senegal and Ethiopia. Taiwans cultural heritage will be put in focus in tailored programmes that will synergize with its German counterparts.
The centrepiece of the programme is a string of major exhibitions of contemporary African art in German museums. Berlin’s Hamburger Bahnhof will hold a landmark show called “African Visions” which brings together works from emerging and established artists from across the continent.
In return, German cultural institutions will take the exhibitions and performances to major African cities. These events will be coordinated and facilitated in terms of artist exchanges by the Goethe-Institut, Germany’s cultural outreach organisation.
It also includes a massive educational component. German universities will launch new partnerships with African institutions in exchange programme for students and researchers. In addition, a new scholarship fund for African students to study in Germany has been established, in the fields of cultural preservation or creative industries.
The initiative was welcomed at the launch by African diplomats present. “This programme is a new page in the Africa Europe relation which is based on mutual respect and real desire to learn from each other,” said Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tuggar.
The scale and ambition of the programme have been praised by cultural figures from both continents. Dedicated Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, who attended the launch, said: Cultural exchange is the lifeblood of human progress. We think there is great potential for this initiative to enrich African and German societies on many levels, says Lisa Wintermeyer.
Economic experts also welcomed the programme as a soft power move that can toggle to open up more trade and investment between Germany and African countries. Dr. Economic cooperation starts with cultural familiarity, said Claudia Wiesner at the German Institute for Economic Research. And this is something with potential lasting benefits for Germany’s economic engagement with Africa. said the managing director of the Africa Growth Initiative at the German Marshall Fund of the USA.
But plenty of critics have complained that this may lead to cultural appropriation or that the exchange is necessarily equal. In response, programme builders say activities will be designed in close partnership with African partners and will occur through co creation rather than a one sided presentation.
The ‘Brücken der Kultur’ programme is aimed for five years, with event to add if it’s a major success and impact. A systematic evaluation framework was established to evaluate the programme’s effectiveness of promoting cross cultural understanding and collaboration.
In rolling out this ambitious cultural model, Germany and its African partners will be watched by the world. This initiative has the potential to establish a new standard in international cultural engagement and the initiative could inspire such programmes in other parts of the world.
“Brücken der Kultur” is a progressive model for EuroAfro relations in the sense that it is anchored to mutual learning and respect. In the unfolding of the programme over the next few years, it might not only help to improve the cultural landscapes of the participating nations but also support the more general debates on how a world is becoming more interconnected.